Mountain Top Arboretum is a sanctuary for trees and the plant communities associated with them. The Arboretum has twenty-nine different species of trees indigenous to the northern Catskills. Visitors walking from the West Meadow, along Maude Adams Road and up into the East Meadow will encounter most. The largest specimens of most of these trees will be discovered along the trails in Spruce Glen. Notice where each tree species grows in terms of sun and shade, soil moisture, how exposed or sheltered its site may be. Does the tree grow solitary or in a grove of its own species? What are the companion species it often grows with? Visit the trees through all four seasons to enjoy how they interact with the larger landscape.

Catalog of CATSKILLS native Tree species

yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis)

Abies balsamea balsam fir

Acer pensylvanicum moose maple, striped maple

Acer rubrum red maple

Acer saccharum sugar maple

Acer spicatum mountain maple (not accessible via trails)

Amelanchier arborea serviceberry

Betula alleghaniensis yellow birch

Betula papyrifera paper birch, white birch

Betula populifolia gray birch

Castanea dentata American chestnut (planted)

Carpinus caroliniana musclewood, American hornbeam

hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)

Fagus grandifolia American beech

Fraxinus americana white ash

Ostrya virginiana hop hornbeam

Picea rubens red spruce

Pinus resinosa red pine (historically planted for lumber)

Pinus strobus white pine

Populus grandidentata big-tooth aspen

Populus tremuloides quaking aspen

Prunus pensylvanica pin cherry

Prunus serotina black cherry

Quercus coccinea scarlet oak

Quercus rubra northern red oak

Salix bebbiana Bebb's willow

Sorbus americana mountain ash

Thuja occidentalis northern white cedar (planted)

Tilia americana American basswood

Tsuga canadensis eastern hemlock

Ulmus americana American elm(not accessible via trails)

A Word About Latin Names: Though at first Latin names might be jarring to our eyes on paper and to our ears when heard, horticulturists and scientists use Latin names when referring to plants because it’s easier to communicate the plant being described. Across regions--around the world and even within New York State—many different common names are used to describe one single species of plant. Indeed, sometimes one common name refers to one species of plant in New York and might refer to a completely different species in Virginia. Using Latin names makes it easier to discuss plants because a Latin name can only refer to one species. As evolutionary botanists discover new species and discover new relations between plants, Latin names change, too. So neither system is perfect… use whichever works best for you. Or don't worry about the name, and just experience the tree.